Witches: In the book Macbeth witches are witches as we know. They are wicked creatures that can use magic power or see the future. We can see assume they can see the future by looking at the prophecy that witches tell to Macbeth. All witch in world of Macbeth seems to dislike humans. We can see this through the witch being angry for not getting the chestnuts.
Macbeth: Macbeth is a main character of the book. In this part of the passage he receives a prophecy that witches give. I think looking at his personality he is going to be a king soon because not only he is thoughtful his actions are consistent. He acts the same whatever that happens to him including the counter with the witches.
Banquo: In this passage Banquo is a characterized with full of greed. We can interpret this from Banquo's reaction when he counter the witches. He is irritated about the fact that Macbeth has a better future then Macbeth. He is curious of is future and wants to know more about his future and revise his future as well.
Ross: He is not mentioned that much in this section. What I can interpret from this section is that he is a messenger and a royal servant.
Angus: He is also not mentioned that much in this section. Although he is not mentioned that much we can still interpret that he is very royal men because he does not like the word "rebel"
Major Plot
- Macbeth and Banquo encounters the witches.
- He listens to the prophecy that Macbeth has a bright future
- Banquo is irritated about fact Macbeth has better future.
Main Conflict
- Macbeth has a bright future and that future will come true.
- The king will change soon according to the prophecy.
- There aren't that much conflict yet until this point.
What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
In scene 1.5 and 1.6 we learn several characteristic about Lady Macbeth. One thing I have confirmed is that Lady Macbeth is mentally stronger then Macbeth. Although Macbeth is a mighty thane of Cawdor and physically stronger then Lady Macbeth he sometimes hesitates to make a decision but on the other hand Lady Macbeth is mentally stronger. This is a reason why I think Lady Macbeth is acting bossy to Macbeth. Not only that Lady Macbeth seems to be jealous.
How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
If someone asked the question “What is the meaning of life?” she will probably answer that the meaning of life is to fulfill one’s own ambitions and to reach that ambition she would do anything.
Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
1) “That wouldst thou holily; wouldst play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou’ldst have, great Glamis, That which cries ‘Thus thou must do’, if yhou have it And that which rather thou dost fear to do than wishest should be undone.
This shows that Lady Macbeth will do any foul actions in order to reach her goal and achieve her ambitions.
2) “To alter favour ever is to fear: Leave all the rest to me.”
This is a last line of the act I scene 5 and this shows that Lady Macbeth is not fully trusting Macbeth at overthrowing the crown. This shows that Lady Macbeth is willing to help Macbeth rebel and gain the crown. Not only that this foreshadows that Lady Macbeth will take several actions in order to fulfill her ambition.
Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
“Ambition”
Denotation: an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment
Connotation: Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.
Currently, in Act 1 the King trusts whatever Macbeth does; therefore it is good timing for Macbeth to kill the King. The pressure that Lady Macbeth was putting on Macbeth was too harsh and Macbeth was not able to control it Macbeth was at last manipulated by Lady Macbeth and he had created an idea to kill with the servants. Macbeth is completely doing what Lady Macbeth wants him to do and he had lost his normal moral standards. It seems like he is going to murder the King because of his wife. Macbeth was very disappointed in what happened to his faith. He felt that he should deserve to be the next king; however Duncan planned to put his son as King. This made Macbeth very motivated and angry The witches were giving the motivation that Macbeth will be the next King, so it made Macbeth to gain more ambition that would affect him to be the King quickly.
How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
The first reaction that Macbeth makes after the killing of Duncan is regret. He feels very guilty and scared. This is directly shown on (Act 2 line 27 ~ 28). He is scared that god will punish him for his wrong deed. He is in state of confusion and don't know what to do. In (Act 2 line 20) he even forget to wipe of the blood after the killing of King Duncan. He is unsure of his future and therefore he fears his future and his gultiness.
How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?
Unlike Macbeth, Lady Macbeth has totally different reaction compared to Macbeth. For example in (Line 20 of Act 2) she acted King Duncan's death as like death of Civilian and that she did not have much care about King Duncan. Also the main difference between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is that she acts more calmly then Macbeth. In (Line 30 Act 2) she disposes all the evidences that has to do with the killing of Duncan and calms Macbeth down.
Act 3.5
Hecate (the leader witch) appears front of the three witches and punishes the three witches (in words) due to unplanned actions.
Act 3.6
Everything goes according to what Macbeth has planned: He makes others like Malcolm and Macduff to believe and trust Macbeth.
In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?
Lord have one major suspicion about Macbeth. When Macbeth declares a war on the nation Lord becomes very suspicious. Macduff is trying to gain that nation's trust and become ally but Macbeth is trying to destroy that opportunity by just giving an invasion and going to war.
4.1 Response
What does Macbeth want in this scene?
Macbeth wants to know what is threatening his throne. He also wants to know if Banquo's sons are ever going to get the throne.
What stands in his way?
Macduff stands in Macbeth's way, since he is suspicious of Macbeth and has gone to England to get help from the King to get rid of Macbeth and his tyrannical ruling. Also the first witch warns Macbeth that Macduff will not obey your orders, thus Macbeth should not keep Macduff by his side.
How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
He decides to kill Macduff, even though he is not a big threat to Macbeth. However, at the end of 4.1, his determination to kill Macduff grows even more after he hears Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff and his wife and children.
What do the Witches want in this scene?
They want to confuse Macbeth and mock him. They want to see him go crazy as Hectate ordered the witches to tease Macbeth.
5.1
Macbeth is presented in the beginning of the play as a noble man that has a good established character. His character was one of good honor and bravery. This is obvious from the opening scene of the war, where Macbeth emerges on the scene and helps end the fighting, winning the war for Scotland. However, he is very ambitious, to be the next King. At the beginning of the play, he was loyal to his present King, and then later he forms an image of murder in his mind and said to himself:
If chance will have me king, why, chance may
crown me
Without my stir. (Act 1, Sc.3, p.25)
Macbeth's qualities changed throughout the play, especially after Duncan's death. After Duncan's death, Macbeth's nobleness and loyal aspects of his character vanished. His character now turned into an evil, greedy, mad man with excessive pride. This hubris eventually led him to his downfall. At the end Macbeth's life had been shattered by bloodshed and hatred. He accepts the fact that he is going to be defeated in the end:
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. (Act 5, Sc.5, p.179)
Macbeth knew that he was not only going to be defeated, but killed as well. He realized all the struggles truly amount to nothing in the end. Macbeth a man of ambition, a man of lost nerve, is finally convinced that murder is the best way to achieve a very honorable goal. However, his remorse and guilt, two tragic characteristics, are enough to drive him mad and eventually to his death.
Assignment #7
What is the main idea of the story?
I personally think that main idea of this story is that one murder can lead to another murder. It can also bring several disaster. For instance Macbeth first goal was to kill King Duncan but as more prophecy is revealed Macbeth has to murder the other royalists. In act 3.4 line 1426 says "Blood will have Blood" which shows clearly that conspiracy leads to several more conspiracy. He eventually get himself killed by Macduff.
What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
King Duncan
I think that King Duncan is really an innocent character in the play. He is the perfect men to be a king.Although he was a respected men as well as moral men he was murdered. The only conclusion that we can say is that too much innocence in true society may be dangerous. He holds all the good morality but his weak minds and innocence led him to his death.
Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.
I think there are several phrases that is repeated in Macbeth. Espacially the phrase "What's done is done" in Act 3.2 line 12 is mentioned several time. In Act 5.1 line 47 the phrase "What's done is done" is re-phrased as "What's done cannot be undone." I think this phrase is very interesting. After the murder of Duncan Macbeth and Lady Macbeth has crossed a river that they cannot go back. In another you cannot change the action that you have taken in past. Only thing that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth do is regret for what they have done.
Reflection
1.3
Characters
Witches: In the book Macbeth witches are witches as we know. They are wicked creatures that can use magic power or see the future. We can see assume they can see the future by looking at the prophecy that witches tell to Macbeth. All witch in world of Macbeth seems to dislike humans. We can see this through the witch being angry for not getting the chestnuts.
Macbeth: Macbeth is a main character of the book. In this part of the passage he receives a prophecy that witches give. I think looking at his personality he is going to be a king soon because not only he is thoughtful his actions are consistent. He acts the same whatever that happens to him including the counter with the witches.
Banquo: In this passage Banquo is a characterized with full of greed. We can interpret this from Banquo's reaction when he counter the witches. He is irritated about the fact that Macbeth has a better future then Macbeth. He is curious of is future and wants to know more about his future and revise his future as well.
Ross: He is not mentioned that much in this section. What I can interpret from this section is that he is a messenger and a royal servant.
Angus: He is also not mentioned that much in this section. Although he is not mentioned that much we can still interpret that he is very royal men because he does not like the word "rebel"
Major Plot
- Macbeth and Banquo encounters the witches.
- He listens to the prophecy that Macbeth has a bright future
- Banquo is irritated about fact Macbeth has better future.
Main Conflict
- Macbeth has a bright future and that future will come true.
- The king will change soon according to the prophecy.
- There aren't that much conflict yet until this point.
What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
In scene 1.5 and 1.6 we learn several characteristic about Lady Macbeth. One thing I have confirmed is that Lady Macbeth is mentally stronger then Macbeth. Although Macbeth is a mighty thane of Cawdor and physically stronger then Lady Macbeth he sometimes hesitates to make a decision but on the other hand Lady Macbeth is mentally stronger. This is a reason why I think Lady Macbeth is acting bossy to Macbeth. Not only that Lady Macbeth seems to be jealous.
How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
If someone asked the question “What is the meaning of life?” she will probably answer that the meaning of life is to fulfill one’s own ambitions and to reach that ambition she would do anything.
Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
1)
“That wouldst thou holily; wouldst play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou’ldst have, great Glamis, That which cries ‘Thus thou must do’, if yhou have it And that which rather thou dost fear to do than wishest should be undone.
This shows that Lady Macbeth will do any foul actions in order to reach her goal and achieve her ambitions.
2)
“To alter favour ever is to fear: Leave all the rest to me.”
This is a last line of the act I scene 5 and this shows that Lady Macbeth is not fully trusting Macbeth at overthrowing the crown. This shows that Lady Macbeth is willing to help Macbeth rebel and gain the crown. Not only that this foreshadows that Lady Macbeth will take several actions in order to fulfill her ambition.
Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
“Ambition”
Denotation: an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment
Connotation: Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.
Currently, in Act 1 the King trusts whatever Macbeth does; therefore it is good timing for Macbeth to kill the King. The pressure that Lady Macbeth was putting on Macbeth was too harsh and Macbeth was not able to control it Macbeth was at last manipulated by Lady Macbeth and he had created an idea to kill with the servants. Macbeth is completely doing what Lady Macbeth wants him to do and he had lost his normal moral standards. It seems like he is going to murder the King because of his wife. Macbeth was very disappointed in what happened to his faith. He felt that he should deserve to be the next king; however Duncan planned to put his son as King. This made Macbeth very motivated and angry The witches were giving the motivation that Macbeth will be the next King, so it made Macbeth to gain more ambition that would affect him to be the King quickly.
How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
The first reaction that Macbeth makes after the killing of Duncan is regret. He feels very guilty and scared. This is directly shown on (Act 2 line 27 ~ 28). He is scared that god will punish him for his wrong deed. He is in state of confusion and don't know what to do. In (Act 2 line 20) he even forget to wipe of the blood after the killing of King Duncan. He is unsure of his future and therefore he fears his future and his gultiness.
How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?
Unlike Macbeth, Lady Macbeth has totally different reaction compared to Macbeth. For example in (Line 20 of Act 2) she acted King Duncan's death as like death of Civilian and that she did not have much care about King Duncan. Also the main difference between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is that she acts more calmly then Macbeth. In (Line 30 Act 2) she disposes all the evidences that has to do with the killing of Duncan and calms Macbeth down.
Act 3.5
Hecate (the leader witch) appears front of the three witches and punishes the three witches (in words) due to unplanned actions.
Act 3.6
Everything goes according to what Macbeth has planned: He makes others like Malcolm and Macduff to believe and trust Macbeth.
In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?
Lord have one major suspicion about Macbeth. When Macbeth declares a war on the nation Lord becomes very suspicious. Macduff is trying to gain that nation's trust and become ally but Macbeth is trying to destroy that opportunity by just giving an invasion and going to war.
4.1 Response
What does Macbeth want in this scene?
Macbeth wants to know what is threatening his throne. He also wants to know if Banquo's sons are ever going to get the throne.
What stands in his way?
Macduff stands in Macbeth's way, since he is suspicious of Macbeth and has gone to England to get help from the King to get rid of Macbeth and his tyrannical ruling. Also the first witch warns Macbeth that Macduff will not obey your orders, thus Macbeth should not keep Macduff by his side.
How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
He decides to kill Macduff, even though he is not a big threat to Macbeth. However, at the end of 4.1, his determination to kill Macduff grows even more after he hears Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff and his wife and children.
What do the Witches want in this scene?
They want to confuse Macbeth and mock him. They want to see him go crazy as Hectate ordered the witches to tease Macbeth.
5.1
Macbeth is presented in the beginning of the play as a noble man that has a good established character. His character was one of good honor and bravery. This is obvious from the opening scene of the war, where Macbeth emerges on the scene and helps end the fighting, winning the war for Scotland. However, he is very ambitious, to be the next King. At the beginning of the play, he was loyal to his present King, and then later he forms an image of murder in his mind and said to himself:
If chance will have me king, why, chance may
crown me
Without my stir. (Act 1, Sc.3, p.25)
Macbeth's qualities changed throughout the play, especially after Duncan's death. After Duncan's death, Macbeth's nobleness and loyal aspects of his character vanished. His character now turned into an evil, greedy, mad man with excessive pride. This hubris eventually led him to his downfall. At the end Macbeth's life had been shattered by bloodshed and hatred. He accepts the fact that he is going to be defeated in the end:
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. (Act 5, Sc.5, p.179)
Macbeth knew that he was not only going to be defeated, but killed as well. He realized all the struggles truly amount to nothing in the end. Macbeth a man of ambition, a man of lost nerve, is finally convinced that murder is the best way to achieve a very honorable goal. However, his remorse and guilt, two tragic characteristics, are enough to drive him mad and eventually to his death.
Assignment #7
What is the main idea of the story?
I personally think that main idea of this story is that one murder can lead to another murder. It can also bring several disaster. For instance Macbeth first goal was to kill King Duncan but as more prophecy is revealed Macbeth has to murder the other royalists. In act 3.4 line 1426 says "Blood will have Blood" which shows clearly that conspiracy leads to several more conspiracy. He eventually get himself killed by Macduff.
What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
King Duncan
I think that King Duncan is really an innocent character in the play. He is the perfect men to be a king.Although he was a respected men as well as moral men he was murdered. The only conclusion that we can say is that too much innocence in true society may be dangerous. He holds all the good morality but his weak minds and innocence led him to his death.
Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.
I think there are several phrases that is repeated in Macbeth. Espacially the phrase "What's done is done" in Act 3.2 line 12 is mentioned several time. In Act 5.1 line 47 the phrase "What's done is done" is re-phrased as "What's done cannot be undone." I think this phrase is very interesting. After the murder of Duncan Macbeth and Lady Macbeth has crossed a river that they cannot go back. In another you cannot change the action that you have taken in past. Only thing that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth do is regret for what they have done.